Because their dreams of daring adventures go against the cautious teachings of their nations, Firefly and Cricket set out on their own, find a home with kindly Vole, and together help a grieving "miniature giant" named Peter.
Excerpts from Walt Whitman, the Bible, Chinese nursery rhymes, and other literary sources accompany illustrations of such insects as the cricket, grasshopper, and puss-mouth caterpillar.